Wilpbid gibson



Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE WILFRID GIBSON AND JOSEPH BARON PAYMAN, OF IBLACKLEY, MANCHESTER, ENG- LAND, ASSIGNORS TO IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED, LONDON,

ENGLAND NoJDrawlng. Application filed September The monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol are usuall manufactured by treatment of an alcohol w1th ethylene oxide under pressure.

We have now discovered that this reaction 5 proceeds more smoothly, and greatly improved yields are obtained, in the presence of 2o 50 lbs. and requires about 6 to 8 hours. The

reaction product is. distilled at ordinary pressure under an eflicient fractionating column, and the yield of methyl glycol, boiling at 122 C. to 125 0., is about 102 parts. This corfiesponds to 72% of theory from ethylene Ewample 2.-To a solution of 88 parts of ethylene oxide in 440 parts of ethyl alcohol are added 2 parts of nickel sulphate. The

whole is maintained at approximately 100 C. until the pressure, initially about 80lbs. per s in., has fallen to about 25 lbs. per sq. in. T e reaction product is fractionally distilled at ordinary pressure, and about 126 parts of ethyl ether of ethylene glycol are 0 tained, corresponding to a yield ofabout 70% of theory from ethylene oxide.

In place of single metallic sulphates as employed in the above example mixtures ofthem Letters Patent is 1. The process for the manufacture of monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol which comprises the heating together of an alcohol with ethylene oxide in the presence of the normal sulphate of a metal having a valency of more than 1. 1

2. The process for the manufacture of to monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol which in the presence of the normal sulphate of a ma be use \Nhat we claim and desire to secure by MANUFACTURE O1 MONOALKYL ETEERS OF ETHYLENE GLYOOL 7, 1929, Serial 110. 391,110, and in Great Britain September 27, 1928.

comprises the heating together of an alcohol with ethylene oxide in the presence of the normal sulphate of a metal having a valency of two.

' 3. The process for the manufacture of monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol which comprises the heating together of an alcohol with ethylene oxide in the presence of the normal sulphate of nickel.

4. The process for the manufacture of monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol which comprises the heating together of an alcohol of the general formula C H OH in which n is not greater than four with ethylene oxide metal having a valency of more than 1.

5. The process for the manufacture of monoalkyl ethers ofethylene glycol which comprises the heating together of an alcohol of the general formula C.. H OH in which n is not greater than four with ethylene oxide in the presence of the normal sulphate of a metal having a'valency of two.

6; The process for the manufacture of monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol which comprises the heating together of an alcohol of the general formula (l H .OH in which n is not greater than four with ethylene oxide in the presence ofnickel sulphate.

7. The process for the manufacture of the monoethyl ether of ethylene glycol which comprises the heating together of ethyl alcohol with ethylene oxide in'the presence of nickel sulphate.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

WILFRID GIBSON. JOSEPH BARON PAYMAN. 

